COMINGS AND GOINGS

We have both been back to the UK this past fortnight 

but for differing reasons.

I went back to see my Mum in Bournemouth, 

caught flu by the 2nd day, and

coughed and spluttered all week.

The week was finished off with a couple of

days in Pompey catching up with some 

old members of the Navy's finest branch.

Marie has gone back to Cornwall for

Aunt Gwen's funeral and a family visit.

NAVY IN THE VILLAGE

Here we are. 1st Royal Navy Association 

event of 2018. 

At the Auberge in our village.

22 people, 3 course meal with wine.

Love having lunch with everyone of these guys.

JANUARY WEATHER

We have been watching the snow back at home.

It really is a rarity here. Only 3 times in

10 years has snow settled on our village.

It has been a very wet and windy January tho'.

And a quiet January so far.

Plenty of dog walks in awful weather.

Project January is kicking in, with

the kitchen getting a makeover.

Pictures when it is finished and not before.

NEW YEARS EVE

Always a good excuse for a party at home.

Good old English cider..

A roaring wood fire....

Our local friends..

And a mixture of Russian food and 

a gurt cheeseboard, along with fine wine.

A very Happy New Year to all who

take the time to read this blog.

XMAS AND NEW YEAR

We had Bob and Lesley over for Xmas.

One of the great joys is a hassle free Xmas day, so

for the 6th year running we booked the Auberge

in the village.

The prices Xmas day are the same as any day

of the year. So no rip off.

5 course lunch started with tartare of sea bass.

Then a half lobster, with the claw in a bisque.

A 3rd fish course of turbot with poached clams.

Meat at last. Roast Pigeon.

And finally Pear Souffle with Mango sorbet.

Washed down with Bourgogne wine and Brandy.

As ever fab food and service.

FLOODING

.

For the 4th time in 10 years we have had a flood.

It takes some serious amount of rain to make the 

stream burst it's banks.

That a a high tide up the coast.

Luckily it never the enters the house, but does give

us 6 inches of water in the outbuildings.

If we see it coming up  the drive we have

about an hour to get everything off the deck.

The stream breaks it's banks in the fields down the lane

before it gets to the house.

Great dogs play area for a few hours.

No damage done, just a bit of cleaning up.

TOP CHICKENS

6 weeks we have had Joan and Yolko the ex battery hens. And now they run the roost. Their destruction of the grass is incredible. Having to move the run every 4 days to fresh grass. They have now been re-named "The Beaky Blinders"